Heartfelt tributes have been paid to “Welsh boy” Steve Strange who “changed a lot of lives.”

The flamboyant frontman for 1980s band Visage died yesterday morning aged 55 of a heart attack in Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, Egypt.

Born in Newbridge, South Wales the then Steve Harrington moved to Rhyl at the age of eight.

His family ran a cafe in the seaside town.

While Steve made his mark with hits including Fade To Grey, his friend Lowri-Ann Evans from Criccieth sang with the band Shock.

She also sang with Steve's band around the time of their second album.

Lowri-Ann said: “He was a Welsh boy who found a way of making life better, he changed a lot of lives.

“I knew him when he was running clubs then we reconnected a few years ago.

“He visited me last year.

“Steve had loads going on, he was working with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra on something.”

In his hey-day Steve, who was at the forefront of the New Romantic era, ran clubs including Billy’s, Camden Palace and Blitz.

Lowri-Ann said: “He pioneered that electronic fashion pop movement, he changed the face of clubs as we knew it.

“They were clubs by young people for young people - it changed the way nightlife really existed in the UK.”

Lowri said her friend once turned Mick Jagger away from one of his clubs.

She said: “Steve Severin from Siouxsie on the Banshees said (at the time of the incident) ‘When Steve is on the door at the Pearly Gates we’ll all have to be very well dressed, otherwise we’re not getting in.’

“Although he dressed to the nines and looked quite scary he never set himself apart.

“He was a genuinely nice and kind bloke, he always involved everybody, that was his charm.”

Rhys Mwyn from 1980s punk band Yr Anhefn described Steve as an “interesting character” who deserved wider acclaim.

He said: “Steve was a pioneer of the whole New Romantic movement and the club scene in the early 80s. An absolute pioneer and not recognised in the way he should be.

“He was a really interesting character in Welsh pop-cultural history.”

Marc Green, label manager at August Day Recordings who Steve worked with expressed his sorrow over the singer’s death.

He said: “Steve died in his sleep of heart failure.

“His family, band members and friends are all distraught at this sudden news of his untimely death.

“Steve’s family request privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

In 2006 Steve spoke of his time in Rhyl.

He said: “Dad was very strict, I’ll never forget having to butter 32 loaves of bread before school everyday or I’d get the strap.”